Game: Farewell North
Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie
System: Steam (Windows, macOS)
Developers | Publishers: Kyle Banks | Mooneye Studios
Controller Support: Yes
Price: US $23.99 | UK £19.99 | EU € 23,99
Release Date: August 16th, 2024
A review code was provided; many thanks to Mooneye Studios.
Farewell North is a 2024 adventure game developed by Kyle Banks and released by Mooneye Studios.
The Premise of Farewell North
In Farewell North, we embark on an emotional journey as Ches, a border collie, accompanies our human on a poignant trip to the Scottish islands to bid farewell to their mother. Along the way, we immerse ourselves in the beauty of the land and sea, discover new paths, meet fellow animals, and restore color to the once vibrant landscape.
Gameplay
Gameplay-wise, Farewell North offers a unique blend of first-person walking simulation, light puzzle-solving, and platformer elements. Overall, while the game is both relaxing and engaging, the emotional intensity of the border collie’s journey home towards the end of the main storyline adds a layer of stress and excitement.
The game’s goal is for us, as a border collie, to clear a path for our human to reach a final destination on the Isles. Most of the puzzles involve the collie finding an alternative route and looking at the landscape differently. None of the puzzles are challenging. Once a level is completed, the landscape bursts in color.
A World of Their Own
There are no other human encounters on the islands, but they don’t feel desolate, especially at later stages of the game, where parts of the landscape are already colored. An exciting part of the game is the Gaelic subtitles for all speeches. It’s a game steeped in Scottish culture, and I admit, I was reminded a lot of A Highland Song in a very positive way.
I like the inclusion of the kayak—I don’t think I’ve ever seen such realistic kayaking in a video game. It might be the closest thing to the real thing. All the movements were quite human, if not realistic.
While the game’s design feels somewhat simplistic, it fits with the game’s overall feel. I liked the combination of visuals and soundtrack. The level mentioned above of the collie trying to get home is especially notable because, while a departure from the more relaxed overall feel of the game, it showcases the developer’s creativity.
Some Other Things
Farewell North has extensive settings for everything from accessibility and audio to controls and cameras. Controls are remappable. The game has Steam achievements but no trading cards yet. The soundtrack was recently released as DLC.
Conclusion
Farewell North is one of the more impactful and emotional gaming experiences I’ve had in recent years. The journey of the border collie, the bond with its human, and the struggle to find its way home all create a deeply emotional narrative that stays with you for a while and will probably bring a tear or two to your eyes. If you like story-driven adventures that tug at your heartstrings, you should definitely consider playing this game.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot. 
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